material. One micrograph (μ-g/1-g) per analysis technique is sufficient to demonstrate the processing technique and capability of each analysis method. For all techniques described, the ampoule (sample housing) was opened and the samples were removed, placed lengthwise on microscope platform and imaged. Standard optical microscopy didn’t reveal any essential features, thus phase contrast optical microscopy was used. Phase contrast microscopy works by introducing a stained slide, which enhances the contrast of the image. This process highlights essential features such as crystals and other cellular structures not apparent in standard microscopy. Each micrograph was taken with a constant light intensity and constant focus, to minimize sample-to-sample image variability. The microscope used was an Olympus BX51, which has a built-in stained slide for phase contrast microscopy. Three different magnifications, 100 , 400 , and 1,000 , were taken using this method; the micrographs can be seen in Figs. 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9, respectively. As shown in the above figures, phase contrast microscopy readily shows the crystalline features of the samples. It is also shown that theμ-g (left) consistently has fewer inclusions than the 1-g (right). The higher magnification (400 /1,000 )was overall beneficial to this process, however it’s difficult to use the small area to represent the sample in its entirety. The higher magnification levels should primarily be used to focus on a particular area for detailed study or to determine the approximate size of smaller inclusions not apparent in lower magnification. Further analysis such as, polarized optical microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were completed on these samples and will be reported in future reports on this topic. Further processing techniques that could be utilized include X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). These methods well aid in capturing the crystal type and other specific crystallinity issues related to the sample characterization. Fig. 9.7 Phase contrast optical microscopy ( 100): μ-g (left) and 1-g (right) Fig. 9.8 Phase contrast optical microscopy ( 400): μ-g (left) and 1-g (right) 72 A.S. Torres et al.
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